EC postpones gazette publication of Lakshmipur-3, Brahmanbaria-2 by-poll results

Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) has postponed the gazette publication of the results of the recently concluded Lakshmipur-3 and Brahmanbaria-2 by-polls due to allegations of voting irregularities.

EC Secretary Jahangir Alam disclosed this information at a press conference on Tuesday.

Jahangir Alam said the EC is now analyzing the allegations of vote rigging and irregularities in the by-elections.

“Directives have been given to the deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs) and returning officers (ROs) of the districts concerned to verify the allegations,” he said.

“Decisions on voting results of the two constituencies will be taken based on the investigation reports,” the EC secretary added.
Earlier on Sunday, the voting of the two by-polls took place from 8am to 4pm.

Awami League candidate Golam Faruque Pinku secured victory in the Lakshmipur-3 by-polls by a wide margin, with the voter turnout reportedly higher compared to recent by-polls.

The candidates of Jatiya Party and Zaker Party made allegations of vote-rigging and boycotted the by-polls.

In Brahmanbaria-2 by-polls, Awami League nominated Md Shahjahan Alam won, while there were reports of low voter turnout in the constituency.

Independent candidate Ziaul Haque Mridha raised allegations of vote rigging in some centres.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has launched an immediate investigation into the public stamping of the boat symbol during the Lakshmipur-3 by-election, following the circulation of a viral video that raised concerns about potential electoral irregularities.
An instruction to conduct the inquiry was issued on November 6 by Farhad Hossain, the returning officer for the by-election and the regional election officer of Cumilla.